Football fans' investment returns are bottom of the league

The savings accounts of West Midland teams Walsall, West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City and Aston Villa are at the bottom of the league in terms of interest rates, according to personal finance experts.

The savings accounts of West Midland teams Walsall, West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City and Aston Villa are at the bottom of the league in terms of interest rates, according to personal finance experts.

Research conducted by Moneynet.co.uk shows that the affinity accounts of those clubs pay the lowest amount of interest of the dozens of football-related savings accounts.

Meanwhile, accounts affiliated with Portsmouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers pay the best rates of interest.

Andrew Hagger, at Moneynet.co.uk, said building society savings accounts linked to football clubs have seen average rates sink to an average of 0.19 per cent.

Mr Hagger said: “A number of football league clubs will run out on to the pitch to start the new season thanks to the continued financial support of their loyal fans via affinity savings accounts.

“Whilst these accounts continue to provide a much-needed boost to club coffers, devoted supporters are now receiving next to nothing by way of interest for themselves.

“The average interest rate on a football savings account at they start of last season was 2.47 per cent. However, as we approach the football league kick-off on August 8 the rate has plummeted to an average of 0.19 per cent.”

He added: “Supporters up and down the land have been saving in ‘affinity accounts’ in some cases for as long as ten years and have helped to pump millions into their favourite clubs.

“Affinity accounts won’t provide the best return on your money – you can currently earn 3.15 per cent gross on an instant access account at Alliance & Leicester – but many supporters happily sacrifice a higher rate of interest in return for being able to do their bit for the team.”

Fans of Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen their rate crash from 5.15 per cent to 0.75 per cent, while Derby County is down from 4.45 per cent to 0.10 per cent, he said.

However the contribution which clubs receive from the savings accounts has barely changed, down from 1.11 per cent last year to 1.04 per cent now.

A partnership between Staffordshire Moorlands mutual Britannia and Stoke City has generated £6.7 million for the Potters, who start next season in the top flight, while a link with West Bromwich Building Society has raised £2.2 million for Championship side West Bromwich Albion.

Britannia has links with 14 professional football teams, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Everton and Liverpool. It has also directed more than £6.5 million to Ipswich Town since 1998.

The society will present the football club with a cheque for up to 1.25 per cent of the value of the combined daily average savings balance for all accounts held by its supporters.